Eastern Baltimore County News
-Photo courtesy of Sandy Moser-
Baltimore County Police reported that crews were on the scene of a crash at Lynch and Kavanagh roads in Dundalk on Friday, Sept. 18 after 9:30 a.m.
There were social media reports of an overturn vehicle at the location. There was no word on the condition of the driver in the accident.
There were major delays as Harold Road was closed at Lynch Road and Armco Way was closed at Kavanagh Road.
All roads reopened 11 a.m. on Friday.
Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams has announced the school system’s timeline for staff and student reentry.
“Since the pandemic began, we have had two primary concerns – the health and wellbeing of our students, staff, and community and continuing to support our students’ academic progress,” said Williams. “As I announced on August 27, we have been considering guidance from Governor Hogan and State Superintendent Dr. Karen Salmon about a phased-in process for bringing small groups of students back to school buildings for in-person instruction. We have been particularly concerned about students who might benefit most from in-person instruction – students with disabilities and our youngest learners. Our new timeline for staff and student reentry focuses on providing in-person services to those two groups of students. More details will be forthcoming, but we are pleased to announce our first steps back toward in-person instruction for all students.”
All Baltimore County schools reopened virtually on Sept. 8. Teachers who requested access have been allowed to teach from their school buildings as of Sept. 14.
Later this month and into early October, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, Y of Central Maryland, and local childcare providers will be opening Academic Support Centers for students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. Some of these centers will be in BCPS elementary schools; others in area PAL Centers. The centers will offer full-day childcare included recreation, meals, and support for virtual learning. In total, more than 1,500 students will be served by these centers.
From Friday, Oct. 2, through Friday, Oct. 9, BCPS will survey parents of identified students about returning to school buildings for in-person instruction. This group of identified students includes both students with disabilities who attend separate public day schools and self-contained regional programs and students in preschool, PreKindergarten, and Kindergarten.
Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, all teachers and remaining school staff will return to work from their school buildings.
Small groups of identified students will return to school buildings for in-person instruction by Friday, Nov. 13
Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams today announced two new initiatives – Childcare Subsidies and Academic Support Centers – designed to help support families of young children during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have an obligation to support the working families hit hard by this pandemic as they navigate the multi-faceted challenges presented by COVID-19, a struggling economy and remote learning,” Olszewski said. “These programs will provide support for working parents, and our subsidy will ensure that our lowest-income residents can access the care they need to allow them to continue working.”
“We are pleased that county government and local service providers are working to provide structured environments to assist students with virtual learning and assist families with childcare,” said Superintendent Williams. “Simultaneously, BCPS is continuing to develop its plans to bring small groups of students back into our classrooms are early as November. Today, I will be releasing a timeline with more details about how we will schedule staff and student reentry.”
Childcare Subsidies
Olszewski has allocated up to $7 million to provide childcare subsidies for working families with children ages 5 to 12. The program aims to support low-income working parents who are not able to stay home to manage their children’s remote learning. Eligible families will receive a subsidy of up to $250 per week per child to cover the cost of care at any childcare provider licensed by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). Families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits where all parents or guardians in the household are employed will be eligible.
To streamline program access, potentially eligible families will receive a letter with instructions on how to access the online application portal. Letters will be mailed to families by September 28. Families that believe they may be eligible but are not receiving SNAP can apply for SNAP and other assistance at the state’s Department of Human Resources website or call 311 to be connected to the Maryland CASH campaign for a benefits eligibility screening.
Academic Support Centers
In addition, the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, the Y of Central Maryland, and other local daycare providers will open academic support centers to provide full-day, in-person childcare for families of children in Kindergarten to Grade 5. The centers will offer support for virtual learning as well as recreational activities. Students will be grouped in cohorts of up to 14 students. Social distancing and mitigation strategies will be followed, and meals will be provided. SNAP recipients who receive County Childcare Subsidies may use them at the academic support centers.
The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks will host Learning Centers at its nine PAL Centers sites around the County. These centers are designed to serve disconnected youth identified by the Baltimore County Department of Social Services. These families will be invited to participate, and care will be offered at no cost to the families. Transportation will be available. Meals will be provided by the Maryland Food Bank. Following MSDE approval, these centers will run daily Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
A second group of centers, operated by the Y of Central Maryland, will open in five BCPS elementary schools. The centers will operate beginning Monday, October 5, and will run daily Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. Meals will be provided by Baltimore County Public Schools. Fees range from $225 – $250 per week per child. Interested families can apply online now. SNAP recipients who receive County Childcare Subsidies may use them at the academic support centers.
An additional 40 centers, located in BCPS elementary schools, will open Monday, Oct. 12, and will be operated by local daycare providers – Hot Spots Extended Care Program, Kids Place Baltimore, Open Door Before and After School Care, and Play Centers, Inc. Depending on the provider, these centers will begin offering care either at 7 a.m. or 8 a.m. All will end at 6 p.m. Meals will be provided by Baltimore County Public Schools. These centers will charge $250 – $275 per week per child for fulltime care. Families interested in these centers should contact the appropriate daycare provider for registration information. SNAP recipients who receive County Childcare Subsidies may use them at the academic support centers.
In total, the 54 academic support centers will be able to serve 1,552 students across Baltimore County.
The list of Baltimore County’s Academic Support Centers is below:
Opening Schedule for Baltimore County Academic Support Centers
Operated by the Department of Recreation and Parks
Cockeysville PAL Center, 9836 Greenside Dr., 21030
Dundalk PAL Center, 15 Commerce Pl., 21222
Hillendale PAL Center, 1111 Halstead Rd., 21234
Lansdowne PAL Center, 2301 Alma Rd., 21227
Mars Estates PAL Center, 1498 East Homberg Ave., 21221
Scotts Branch PAL Center, 3651 Rolling Rd., 21244
Shady Spring PAL Center, 8876 Goldenwood Rd., 21237
Winfield PAL Center, 8304 Carlson Ln., 21244
Woodmoor PAL Center, 7111 Croydon Rd., 21207
Locations scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 5
Operated by the Y
Catonsville Elementary School
Cedarmere Elementary School
Johnnycake Elementary School
Westowne Elementary School
Woodmoor Elementary School
Locations scheduled to open Monday, Oct. 12
Operated by licensed local daycare providers with approved, pre-existing relationships with BCPS (name of daycare provider in parentheses)
Carney Elementary School (Open Door)
Carroll Manor Elementary School (Play Centers)
Chapel Hill Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Chatsworth Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Church Lane Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Cromwell Elementary School (Play Centers)
Elmwood Elementary School (Play Centers)
Fort Garrison Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Franklin Elementary School (Open Door)
Fullerton Elementary School (Open Door)
Glyndon Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Hampton Elementary School (Open Door)
Harford Hills Elementary School (Open Door)
Honeygo Elementary School (Open Door)
Jacksonville Elementary School (Play Centers)
Joppa View Elementary School (Open Door)
Kingsville Elementary School (Open Door)
Lutherville Lab Elementary School (Open Door)
Lyons Mill Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Mays Chapel Elementary School (Open Door)
New Town Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Oakleigh Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Owings Mills Elementary School (Open Door)
Padonia Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Pine Grove Elementary School (Open Door)
Pinewood Elementary School (Play Centers)
Pleasant Plains Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Pot Spring Elementary School (Open Door)
Reisterstown Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Relay Elementary School (Open Door)
Riderwood Elementary School (Open Door)
Rodgers Forge Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Seven Oaks Elementary School (Open Door)
Seventh District Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Sparks Elementary School (Play Centers)
Stoneleigh Elementary School (Play Centers)
Summit Park Elementary School (Kid’s Place)
Timber Grove Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Timonium Elementary School (Open Door)
Villa Cresta Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Vincent Farm Elementary School (Hot Spots)
Vincent Farm Elementary School (Open Door)
Warren Elementary School (Play Centers)
Wellwood Elementary School (Hot Spots)
West Towson Elementary School (Play Centers)
Westchester Elementary School (Open Door)
Woodbridge Elementary School (Open Door)
Woodholme Elementary School (Open Door)
Baltimore County police responded to Eastern Avenue and 48th Street in Dundalk for a call of a motor vehicle crash.
The preliminary investigation revealed that on Sept. 16 around 12:30 p.m., a Baltimore County School bus made a left turn from Westbound Eastern Avenue onto 48th street, headed to deliver meals to a school. A Honda motorcycle was traveling East on Eastern Avenue and struck the rear corner of the bus.
The rider of the motorcycle, identified as Frank Schmidt Jr. (71) of the 2100 block of Sunnythorn Road in Middle River, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver and three adult passengers on the bus were not injured.
The Baltimore County Police Department’s Crash Team is continuing their investigation. If anyone has information about the crash they are asked to call 410-307-2020.
The Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company in Dundalk announced that they have canceled their train garden for 2020. Here is the statement on their Facebook page
“After careful consideration of all the factors, the Officers and Members of the Wise Avenue Volunteer Fire Company have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Christmas Train Garden.
Our train garden, arguably one of, if not the largest in the State of Maryland attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year. Even during a non-pandemic situation, it is not uncommon for us to have people crowded into our hall and waiting in lines extending out of our front doors and around our building.
With COVID-19 still a public health concern, and with our physical constraints, we cannot envision a way, either through scheduling, social distancing, mask use, etc. to assure the safety of the public and our members.
Our primary goal is the safety and protection of life of the people and property in our community. We do not want to be in the position of potentially causing the needless spread of this virus. Also, as first responders we cannot afford to unnecessarily expose our members, which could ultimately impact our
ability to provide life-saving services.
We will be making sure Santa Claus still makes his rounds on the fire engine across the entire Dundalk community. Much like we did with the Easter Bunny last March and April, we can still bring Holiday cheer while keeping people safe.
It is our greatest hope that by this time next year this public health crisis will have passed, and we can once again resume this great Dundalk tradition.”
One woman died following a vehicle crash in Parkville Monday morning.
Police responded to the crash just after 12 a.m. Monday, Sept. 13 when a Can-Am Spyder was traveling westbound on E. Joppa Road near Waltham Woods Road and struck another vehicle. The Can-Am lost control causing it to hit a median, roll over and eject both occupants. Baltimore County EMS transported the driver to an area hospital. The passenger of the Can-Am was transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.
The passenger is identified as Elisha Denise Hemsley (30) of the 4000 block of Belwood Avenue in eastern Baltimore City. The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured.
The Baltimore County Police Crash Team is continuing to work to determine the cause of this fatal crash.
County Councilwoman Cathy Bevins reported that Orems Road in Middle River will be closed to traffic between Compass and Old Orems Road from Wednesday, Sept. 16 to Friday, Oct 16.
This area is the Aero Acres portion of Middle River.
The closure will allow crews to rehabilitate a 48-inch diameter sewer line. Construction traffic will be detoured to Fuselage Avenue and Compass Road.
Baltimore County Fire Department reported a back country rescue at Gunpowder State Park.
There are reports of one injured patient on the trail.
Crews reported that the patient has been located and crews are attempting extrication from the woods.
Fifth District Baltimore County Councilman David Marks gave an update about the proposed Gerst Farm project in Perry Hall.
Gerst Farm is located at 9328 Gerst Road behind the Honeygo Village Center and near the Joppa and Cowenton road traffic circle in Perry Hall.
Members of the local community had concerns of adding more traffic to the area and adding to an already overcrowded school system. The original plan called for the building of 317 townhomes/rowhomes on 47.61 acres of land.
Two more virtual meetings are scheduled on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Thursday, Sept. 17. Here is a statement for Marks.
I would like to thank the dozens of Perry Hall residents who attended the first of three virtual meetings on roads, open space, and amenities in the Gerst Road corridor.
The overall theme of the discussion concerned the reconstruction of Gerst Road. Most residents who spoke seemed to support a road that is “pinched” with islands or some form of traffic calming to reduce speeding. There was support for dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks to improve mobility.
Residents from the Honeygo Village Center who spoke were concerned about connections to any future development at the Gerst Farm. The Strawbridge Terrace/Thomas Rankin Way connection was of particular concern. There was a suggestion to guide pedestrians to crosswalks near the existing roundabout.
Indian Trail Way and Thomas Rankin Way need to be evaluated. Options such as a traffic circle and/or speed humps are needed along Scott Moore Way.
The Glenfield Road entrance to Glenside Farms is still privately-owned.
Much discussion concerned the future of Gerst and Joppa Roads. Residents supported regrading the route to reduce the danger of cresting the hill from the south, which is important if there are no plans to widen the road.
In general, there was an appreciation for the connectivity in other residential projects such as Kentlands in Montgomery County. Information about that project can be found here: https://www.kentlands.com/home.
The Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) postponed all high school sports and activities after all Maryland Public Schools are operating remotely for the first semester until Jan. 29 as a result of COVID-19.
Gov. Larry Hogan announced that Maryland is now in Phase Three of Recovery and there is anticipation that students could return to school campuses in February. If schools open, The MPSSAA has revealed its plan to hold a sports season that would include all three seasons, including fall sports. All seasons would have five weeks of interscholastic athletic competition.
The first sports season would start with the Winter Season. The Winter Sport Season Practice and Reconditioning would take place from Feb. 1 to Feb. 21 and the games and events would run from Feb. 22 to March 27.
The Fall Sports Season would bring with an unusually start of practice on March 15. The games and season would start on April 5 and would end on May 8.
The new Sport Season Spring would have practice starting on April 26 with games and events starting on May 17 and ending on June 19.
The future of the end of season MPSSAA State Tournaments were unclear.
“The MPSSAA recognizes the highest risk, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is increased participation opportunities that includes statewide competitions among different geographic areas,” said a statement from MPSSAA.
“The MPSSAA will look for creative ways regarding these types of events and make
decisions as we get closer to the second semester.”
